Sugar Factory Workers Benefit from Westmoreland Health Department’s Free Health Fair

Approximately 150 men employed to the Pan Caribbean Sugar Factory in Frome, Westmoreland, participated in a free health fair hosted by the Westmoreland Health Department on Tuesday, September 27.

The event, which was held on the grounds of the sugar factory, was hosted in collaboration with the National Health Fund (NHF), with support from the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) and Great Shape Inc.

The male factory workers benefited from a raft of screening tests, including blood-sugar and blood-pressure checks, HIV test, nutrition assessment, prostate examinations, cleaning and general dental checks and mental health care services.

Mental health officers and nurses, physical activity specialists, nutritionists, dental surgeons, dental nurses, dental assistants, medical officers, doctors, and family nurse practitioners were all on hand to provide services to the men.

Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department, Marjorie Campbell-Sharpe, tells JIS News that the turnout exceeded expectations, noting that she is heartened to see that more men are taking their health seriously.

“So, most of the persons here seeking services are out of the Pan Caribbean Sugar factory. In 2019, just before COVID-19, we had a smaller event right here and when we saw how the men pour[ed] out of the factory it was overwhelming,” she shares.

She highlights that the event is also used to commemorate Caribbean Wellness Day, observed on the second Saturday in September every year, geared at increasing awareness and promoting activities to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including mental ill health.

She adds that health officials also use the opportunity to provide health education services.

Safety Officer at Pan Caribbean Sugar Factory, Ahmid Williams, says the company’s decision to partner with the Health Department is to ensure the well-being of the staff.

He dubs the fair as a “worthwhile initiative”, noting that the prevalence of NCDs can pose a grave economic burden.

“The health of our workers is very important at Pan Caribbean because we notice that some workers don’t live to see retirement age, so we think that the health factor is absolutely important. We are happy to see the services that the workers are [receiving] like the digital examination [for prostate cancer). I thought, more or less, that they would be scared but they braved up, having realised the benefit of it,” he shares.

In outlining the significance of the event, Clinical Coordinator at the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Nurse Stephanie Morris, pointed out that several men screened by the association have been neglecting their health and wellness.

“A lot of the men had not gone to the doctor or clinic in a while. In asking question if they had any headaches etc., some of them would say yes, they had been experiencing the headache and the dizziness, so it is apparent that their blood pressure, blood sugar and their cholesterol have been out of range for a while,” she shares.

She told JIS News that several individuals were referred to the local clinics for additional care.

Sixty-year-old Raymond Ackbersingh, who was among the group of men who benefited from the health fair, says it was a welcome move.

“It is really good because a lot of the tests here cost money… so, it is a good opportunity to come out to get [your] blood sugar, cholesterol and prostate checked,” he shares.

Sixty-six-year-old tractor operator at the sugar factory, Denham Ranken, was also happy for the free health services.

“It is very important to know my health condition. It will help me to live longer,” he says.